Caatinga animals: birds, mammals and reptiles

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 11 February 2021
Update Date: 16 December 2024
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Vertebrate Animals for kids: Mammals, fish, birds, amphibians and reptiles
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Caatinga is a Tupi-Guarani word that means 'white forest'. this is a biome exclusively Brazilian which is restricted to the states of Bahia, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, Piauí and part of Minas Gerais. Its occupation corresponds to about 11% of the national territory. The main characteristics of this biome, also called 'backlands', they are the clear and open forest, which many call 'dry'. Part of this ecosystem is due to irregular rains (with long periods of drought) in the semi-arid climate region. These attributes explain the smaller diversity of this type of biome, both in flora and in the caatinga fauna when compared to biomes such as the Amazon or Atlantic Forest, for example.


Unfortunately, according to a report published in G1 in 2019[1], 182 animals of the Catinga are threatened with extinction. In order for you to understand the real risk that Brazilian heritage faces, in this article by the Animal Expert we present 33 animals from the Caatinga and its amazing features.

Caatinga Animals

The Caatinga is a biome known for its low endemism, that is, little variety of animals that developed only in that region. Even so, according to an article published by researcher Lúcia Helena Piedade Kill, in 2011 [2] among the recorded animals of the Caatinga, it was known that there are more than 500 species of birds, 120 species of mammals, 44 species of reptiles and 17 species of amphibians. New species continue to be studied and cataloged among the animals of the Caatinga. Not all animals in the Caatinga are endemic, but it is a fact that they live, survive and are part of the ecosystem. Discover some of the most famous species of Caatinga fauna in Brazil:


Caatinga birds

blue macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii)

This small macaw whose color is described in its name measures about 57 centimeters and is severely endangered among the animals of the Caatinga. His appearance is so rare that even information about his habits and behavior is scarce. Despite its near extinction in the real world, the Spix's Macaw is the protagonist of the film Rio, by Carlos Saldanha. Anyone who knows Blu will know.

Lear's Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari)

This is another species, endemic in the state of Bahia, endangered among the birds of the Caatinga due to the destruction of their habitat. It is larger than the Spix's Macaw, reaching up to 75 cm, the blue hue and the yellow triangle on the jaw are also striking features of this bird.


White wing (Picazuro Patagioenas)

Yes, this is the bird quoted by Luis Gonzaga in the homonymous song. The white wing is a South American endemic bird that migrates a lot. Therefore, it can be seen as one of the Caatinga birds and is resistant to regional droughts. They can measure up to 34 cm and are also known as dove-carijó, jacaçu or pigeon.

Caatinga Parakeet (Eupsittula cactorum)

The Caatinga Parakeet, also known as sertão parakeet it is named for the similarity to a parakeet and for its occurrence in Brazilian Caatingas in flocks of 6 to 8 individuals. They feed on corn and fruit and are currently dangerously threatened by illegal trade.

Other important birds of the Caatinga are:

  • Arapacu-de-cerrado (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris);
  • Red hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus);
  • Cabure (Glaucidium brasilianum);
  • True Canary Land (Flaveola Sicalis);
  • Carcara (plancus caracara);
  • Northeast Cardinal (Dominican parishioner);
  • Corruption (Icterus jamacaii);
  • Jaw-cancá (cyanocorax cyanopogon);
  • Jacucaca (penelope jacucaca);
  • seriema (Cristata);
  • Real Maracanã (Primolius Maracana);
  • Gray Parrot (aestiva Amazon);
  • Red Tufted Woodpecker (Campephilus melanoleucos);
  • Tweet tweet (Myrmorchilus Strigilatus).

Caatinga Mammals

Guigo da Caatinga (Callicebus barbarabrownae)

This is an endemic species in Bahia and Sergipe among the Caatinga animals, but they are rare and endangered. The Caatinga outrigger is recognized by its darker tufts of hair on its ears, lighter hair on the rest of its body and reddish brown tail, although it is rarely seen.

Caatinga Preá (cavia aperea)

This rodent is one of the typical animals of the Caatinga and from other South American biomes. The guinea pig, or bengo, is very reminiscent of a guinea pig, but it is not a domestic animal. It can measure up to 25 cm and its color varies from dark brown to light gray. They feed on grains and leaves.

Caatinga Fox (Cerdocyon thous L)

Also known as wild dog, these Canidades can be found in practically all biomes of South America, not being, exclusively one of the Caatinga animals, but from all Brazilian biomes. In the Caatinga, these animals perform the important function of dispersing seeds of local plants, which are fundamental for the maintenance and balance of the local flora, as indicated in the article published by Eduardo Henrique in the Xapuri Socioambiental magazine.[3]

Caatinga armadillo (Tricinctus tolypeutes)

The Caatinga armadillo is known for, above all, inhabiting the driest regions of Brazil, with its ability to dig holes and its behavior to roll up inside the shell are some of its best known characteristics. In addition to joining the list of animals in the Caatinga, in 2014 the armadillo-bola-da-Caatinga rose to another level of fame when it was elected mascot for the men's Soccer World Cup.

Caatinga Puma, Puma (Puma concolor)

Despite being part of the Caatinga fauna, it is increasingly rare to see one of these animals in the biome. THE Caatinga jaguar it is disappearing from the map both by poaching and direct conflicts with man, and by the destruction of its habitat. Like other jaguars, they are excellent hunters and jumpers, but they like to live far from human presence.

Other mammals that live among the animals of the Caatinga are:

  • agouti (Dasyprocta Aguti);
  • White-eared Opossum (Didelphis albiventris);
  • Capuchin Monkey (Sapajus libidinosus);
  • Naked hand (Procyon cancrivorus);
  • White Tufted Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus);
  • Brown deer (Mazama Gouazoubira).

Caatinga Reptiles

Caatinga Chameleon (Polychrus acutirostris)

Despite its popular name, this is a species of lizard that is among the animals of the caatinga. The caatinga chameleon can also be known as fake chameleon or sloth lizard. His ability to camouflage, his eyes that move independently and his calm temperament are some of his most striking features.

Boa constrictor (good constrictor)

This is one of the Caatinga snakes, but it is not exclusive to this biome in Brazil. It can reach 2 meters in length and is considered a fish snake. Its habits are nocturnal, when it hunts its prey, small mammals, lizards and even birds.

Other species of Caatinga reptiles cataloged are:

  • Green-tailed Calango (Ameivula venetacaudus);
  • Horned Sloth (Stenocercus sp. n.).

Endangered animals in the Caatinga

Unfortunately, the Caatinga ecosystem is threatened by human extractive exploitation, causing environmental degradation and leading some species to list of endangered animals by IBAMA. Among them, jaguars, wild cats, brocket deer, capybara, blue macaw, harbor doves and native bees have been mentioned. As mentioned at the beginning of the text, in 2019 it was disclosed that the Caatinga biome has 182 endangered species[1]. All Brazilian species threatened with extinction can be consulted in the ICMBio Red Book, which lists all species of Brazilian fauna threatened with extinction[4].

If you want to read more articles similar to Caatinga animals: birds, mammals and reptiles, we recommend that you enter our Endangered Animals section.